Hollywood 1947 (2023) Board Game

Hollywood 1947 is a board game released in 2023, designed by Sarah Keele and illustrated by Facade Games. It falls under the categories of bluffing, card game, deduction, dice, and party game. The game is set in the glamorous and mysterious world of Hollywood in the year 1947, where players take on the roles of different characters trying to uncover secrets and scandals in order to climb the social ladder.

Game Components of Hollywood 1947

15 genre posters

9 film strips

9 custom star dice

4 sculpted tokens

6 propaganda cards

9 job cards

9 loyalty cards

All components housed in a book box with a magnetic clasp.

How To Setup Hollywood 1947

To set up the game, players are divided into teams of Patriots, Communists, or the Rising Star. Each player receives a unique job card and a loyalty card indicating their allegiance. The game board, represented by the movie posters and film strips, is prepared, and the necessary cards and dice are distributed. The setup is relatively straightforward, but the instructions can be a bit murky on first reading; however, they become clear after a few minutes of play or by watching a video overview available via a QR code on the back cover of the rulebook.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Social Deduction: Players must keep their cards and loyalty secret.

Light Strategy: Players influence the movie’s production by adding cards.

Random Element: Die rolls determine which players contribute to each film.

Objective:
– Patriots win by producing 4 patriotic films.
– Communists win by producing 4 propagandistic films.
– The Rising Star wins by extending the game to 7 rounds and making the 7th round a tie.

Player Experience

Hollywood 1947 offers a fun and engaging experience, especially for gamers who love the golden age of movies. The game is easy to learn and plays quickly, lasting between 20-40 minutes. Players enjoy the blend of strategy and deception as they navigate their roles and try to influence the movie’s outcome. The game’s components are of good quality, with evocative art design and solid rules that are easy to follow once understood.

Pros

Engaging Theme: The game’s setting in 1940s Hollywood adds a unique and intriguing twist.

Social Interaction: Encourages open discussion and deduction among players.

Quick Playtime: Games are relatively short, making it easy to fit in multiple rounds.

High-Quality Components: The game comes with well-designed and durable components.

Cons

Initial Complexity: The instructions can be somewhat confusing on the first read.

Random Element: The reliance on die rolls can introduce a significant element of luck, which may not appeal to all players.

Personal Thoughts on Hollywood 1947

Hollywood 1947 is ideal for groups who enjoy social deduction games like The Resistance or Avalon but are looking for a fresh setting. It’s a great choice for casual gamers and those who appreciate the historical context of the 1940s movie industry. While it may not be a serious competitive game, it offers a fun and light-hearted experience that can be enjoyed in a half-hour session. The game is particularly suited for fans of golden age movies and those who enjoy strategic deception and team play.

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